The Steam-Packet: A Tale of the River and the Ocean — page 247: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

190 “THE STEAM PACKET. Princess de Lamballe, who was so ruthlessly murdered by the popu- lace in the Revolution on the brink of which that splendid court was hovering. All that was best of the chivalry, the talent, and the beauty of France, was concentrated around the throne of Louis XVI. and his beauteous wife. It was the most brilliant epoch of the reign of the old régime; and probably pleasure was- more sought after, and high birth and elegance of manners the more valued, because were already heard the distant murmurs of that dread explosion of popular fury which was to sweep away throne and altar—rank and riches. Albert had undertaken the journey to Paris under the impression, and with the earnest hope that he should encounter Mademoiselle Tascher. Thus, wherever he went—whatever public sights or exhibi- tions he visited, his mind constantly dwelt upon the one unforgotten idea—that of again beholding her whose image dwelt in his bosom. Henri had particular business to attend to, and was usually occupied throughout the day with the matters which had called him to Paris; and thus Albert was left to wander about by himself, examining the coun- tenances of every well-dressed female he saw either on foot or in her carriage, in the hope of meeting the one that he most wished to see. One afternoon Albert was sauntering in the vicinity of the Palais Royal, when he was suddenly aroused from a deep reverie into which he had fallen, by the rapid tramp of cavalry; and in another mo- ment a detachment of the royal guards passed by. In the midst was the Queen’s carriage, and her Majesty waved her handkerchief gra- ciously from the window to those who welcomed her with their accla“ mations. The gorgeous vehicle passed on; and three or four others containing the nobles and ladies of her Majesty’s suite followed im- mediately behind. Albert watched the glittering cavalcade with _ pleasure, for the charms of the young Queen could not fail to excite the enthusiasm of his chivalrous soul, although his heart had been bestowed uponanother. Just as the last carriage in the royal train whirled past him, one of its occupants—a lady elegantly attired— leant forward for a.moment; and Albert instantly recognised that countenance which was ever present in his memory. | He uttered an exclamation of surprise and joy; and, without re- flecting for one moment ‘upon the indiscretion of which he was guilty, darted through the crowd after the carriage with the speed of a hunted deer. In a few moments—such was the haste with which he rushed onwards—he was alongside the vehicle; when a gentleman in a bril- liant military uniform, and with a star upon his breast, who was sitting next to the idol of Albert’s heart, suddenly thrust his head from the window, and exclaimed in an abrupt manner, ‘‘ Move off, fellow ! ” Gomicbooks (E(0)